Chesapeake Bay Academy (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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About the School

Innovators in education for children who learn differently.
For over 36 year, CBA has specialized in educating children with a variety of learning differences including: Enrollment at Chesapeake Bay Academy occurs on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Chesapeake Bay Academy does not have a therapeutic component and cannot accept students with behavior disorders, nor students with intellectual disabilities.
The application process is very thorough to ensure that our students are well served by the curriculum and services available here.

Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked VA School
School Type: Special Education School
Grades: 1-12
Enrollment: 120 students
Yearly Tuition: $28,270
Acceptance rate: 70%
Average class size: 10 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School News

CBA featured in Roadtrip Nation Docuseries: Learning Reimagined - 07/25/2025
Roadtrip Nation, a docuseries featured on PBS, explores what it can mean to build a career more importantly, a life around the things you love. The show's newest series, "Learning ...moreReimagined", attempts to answer the question, "what can education look like?" The answer, viewers come to find out is, well, just about anything-as long as innovative people take the reins to bring their vision of student-centered education to life. Having recently been recognized as leaders in educational innovation by the Center for Education Reform, Chesapeake Bay Academy was selected to be featured on the first episode. "Learning Reimagined" follows three early career educators eager to see what's possible in the world of education entrepreneurship. Watch the roadtrippers Billie, Maximiliano, and Aliyah as they meet inspiring tech entrepreneurs and educators, learn about all the new tools and ideas coming to the forefront for today's students, and see firsthand how education is changing to become more innovative and inclusive in real time.... hide

School Rankings

Chesapeake Bay Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:

School Facts

School Type

Special Education School

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)
Southern Association of Independent Schools

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 1-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Chesapeake Bay Academy
1	10
2	10
3	10
4	10
5	10
6	10
7	10
8	10
9	10
10	10
11	10
12	10

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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia, ADD/ADHD, language-based learning challenges, auditory processing deficits, fine motor dysfunction, developmental delays, other health impairments, twice exceptional learners (2e), high-functioning autism

Year Founded

1989

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

Campus Size

1 acre

Student Body

Total Students

120 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

23%

State avg.: 31%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

12 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

10:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

90%

Average Class Size

10 students

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

American GovernmentAmerican Literature

BiologyBritish Literature

ChemistryPhysics

United States HistoryWorld History: Eastern Hemisphere

World Literature

Average SAT score

622

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

varies by division

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$28,270

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

$500 Enrollment Fee Tuition Reimbursement Plan (excluding single payments): $100 Payment Plan Fee: $120 Lower School (1-5): $28,270 Middle School (6-8): $29,040 Upper School (9-12): $30,950

Summer Program Cost

$2,700

Summer Program Cost Notes

Summer Learning, Intensive Reading, and Academic Therapy options available. Full and half-day options - pricing varies. Virtual options also available.

% on Financial Aid

65%

Acceptance Rate

70%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

90%

Admissions Director

Kim Rowe

Admissions Associate

Brenda Pilkington

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$1 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

5 sports

Sports

CheeringDance

E-sportsMartial Arts

Volleyball

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

8 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Bug Explorers ClubChess Club

Choir ClubCodeNinja's

Dance/Cheer ClubEco Club

ESportsOvertime Athletics Run Club

School Notes

dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia
ADD/ADHD
language-based learning disabilities
auditory processing deficits
fine motor dysfunction
developmental delays
other health impairments
twice exceptional learners (Gifted and LD)
high-functioning autism - Level 1

School Motto: Innovators in education for children who learn differently.
School Mascot: Dolphin

Your child is unique, so are we:

Small Class Sizes
Personalized Instruction
Multisensory Curriculum & Project-Based Learning
Social Emotional Learning
Extracurricular Activities
Visual & Performing Arts
MAKE CBA Entrepreneurship Program
Advanced Scholars Institute partnership with Virginia Wesleyan University

NEW! Online Middle School (Grades 6-8) www.cba-va.org/CadetNet

Enrollment at Chesapeake Bay Academy occurs on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Cliff Cutchins, M.D. - Staff Anesthesiologist at Atlantic Anesthesia, Inc.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Chesapeake Bay Academy cost?

Chesapeake Bay Academy's tuition is approximately $28,270 for private students and $2,700 for summer students.

What is the acceptance rate of Chesapeake Bay Academy?

The acceptance rate of Chesapeake Bay Academy is 70%, which is lower than the national average of 79%.

Who are famous alumni from Chesapeake Bay Academy?

Chesapeake Bay Academy famous alumni include: Cliff Cutchins, M.D..

Does Chesapeake Bay Academy offer a summer program?

Yes, Chesapeake Bay Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Chesapeake Bay Academy offer?

Chesapeake Bay Academy offers 5 interscholastic sports: Cheering, Dance, E-sports, Martial Arts and Volleyball.

What is Chesapeake Bay Academy's ranking?

Chesapeake Bay Academy ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for: Highest average ACT score and Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.

When is the application deadline for Chesapeake Bay Academy?

The application deadline for Chesapeake Bay Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

In what neighborhood is Chesapeake Bay Academy located?

Chesapeake Bay Academy is located in the Northwest neighborhood of Virginia Beach, VA. There are 12 other private schools located in Northwest.

School Calendar

View the Chesapeake Bay Academy yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

Event

Date

Fall Break: School, Office & Extended Care Closed

November 23, 2026 (Monday)

School Reviews

5.00 out of 5 (2 reviews)

5 4/14/2023

My review is 3 of 5 starts but the program will not allow for modifying the quantity. CBA could be a great school but is just good as it currently stands in 2023. The teachers have plenty of patience which is important given the student population however special ed expertise should be required since many students need specialized learning, aka experimenting with known or new techniques, to determine how each best intake information. A former special ed teacher who was going to great lengths with trial and error to determine how best some students will learn was told that CBA does not experiment. I was appalled at such a statement especially knowing our former public school sped teacher always experimented to find the right fit, yet CBA is an "individualized" program. We have been in many situations where the director has asked us for guidance and suggestions regarding situations we have brought to their attention about our child's academics. They should have been easily remedied by a professional CBA, not by the parent who is paying an exorbitant amount of money to this specialized school that promotes their experience at individualized teaching. I could go on...

- Posted by Parent - Parent of student 2023

5 5/17/2022

The best school in the state of Virginia. The instructors are not called teachers, but advocates for the students. CBA has reinvented the classroom by cultivating an understanding of both ethical and moral communication.

- Posted by Parent - Name

Endorse Chesapeake Bay Academy. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

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Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Virginia Beach, VA is $14,171 for elementary schools and $14,649 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Virginia Beach, VA is 89% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).